Cindy Van Buren Appointed to Winthrop Board of Trustees

Quick Facts

Van Buren’s appointment is effective immediately, and the Prosperity resident will join the Board of Trustees at its next meeting on Aug. 25. She has worked at the S.C. State Department of Education since April 2013 and is currently the deputy superintendent for school effectiveness.

For the past year, Zais has personally served on the board rather than selecting an appointee.

Van Buren’s appointment is effective immediately, and the Prosperity resident will join the Board of Trustees at its next meeting on Aug. 25. She has worked at the S.C. State Department of Education since April 2013. She is currently the deputy superintendent for school effectiveness.

Winthrop leaders believe Van Buren is a good choice for board membership. “Many in our Winthrop family will fondly remember Cindy Van Buren and her contributions to Winthrop as a student leader, an engaged alumna, a dedicated educator, and an effective administrator,” said Acting President Debra Boyd. “I look forward to working with Cindy as Winthrop’s Board of Trustees and senior leadership continue to move the institution forward. Student success has been Cindy’s passion for many years. This board and our entire Winthrop team stand united in that same dedication to students.”

Previously, Van Buren was a tenured professor at Newberry College for seven years. Six of those years she served as chair of the Department of Education and spent one year as assistant dean for academic affairs. During her time at Newberry, Van Buren oversaw a teacher education program that increased from 60 teacher candidates to more than 325 students and also added three new majors leading to teacher licensure.

Van Buren has earlier ties to Rock Hill. She worked at Winthrop as director of teacher education and at Rock Hill High School as an assistant principal and teacher.

Van Buren earned a bachelor’s degree in English/secondary education and master’s degree in secondary education from Winthrop University. She earned a doctorate in educational leadership and policies from the University of South Carolina.

For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at 803/323-2404 or longshawj@winthrop.edu.